Cover for paper coffee cup



Oct. 9, 1962 F. POLLICK 3,057,537

COVER FOR PAPER COFFEE CUP Filed Nov. 17, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F E. l 20$ 28A [24 26 /6 INV EN TOR. FRHNK POLL/CK HTTo'R Oct. 9, 1962 F.POLLICK covER' FOR PAPER COFFEE CUP 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 17, 1960 INVENTOR. FRHNK POLL/CK HTTORN Y United States Patent 3,057,537 COVER FOR PAPER CGFFEE CUP Frank Pollick, 439 Bellevue Ave., Yonkers, NY. Filed Nov. 17, 1960, Ser. No. 69,901 2 Claims. (Cl. 22943) This invention relates generally to paper containers and more particularly to a leak-proof cover for a paper coffee cup and the like.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a flexible leak-proof cover of the bellows type for a paper container.

Another object of the invention is to provide a paper cover for a container that is easily applied to and removed from the container by hand.

A further object of the invention is to provide a paper cover for a container that is adapted to flex readily under pressure and that permits a larger latitude of pressure changes within the container.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a leakproof paper cover for a paper container that is simple in construction and that can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the advantages and benefits of the invention reference will be had to the accompanying drawings forming a material part of the disclosure of the invention, wherein FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a paper container having a cover embodying one form of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a central sectional view of the top end of the container shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the cover shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a cover for a paper container embodying a modified form of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 66 of FIG. 5 showing the cover in position on a paper container.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a paper cover embodying another modified form of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 88 of FIG. 7, showing the cover in position on a paper container.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line 1010 of FIG. 7.

Referring in detail to the drawings, in FIG. 1 a paper container such as a paper coffee cup 10 is shown. The paper cup is formed of heavy paper stock and has a tapered body 12 with a bottom wall 14 and is open at the top. The top edge of the body is looped outwardly forming an annular bead 16. Adjacent the annular bead, the body of the cup is formed with an outwardly extending annular bulge 18.

In accordance with the invention, the cup is provided with a paper cover 20 for closing the open top of the body of the cup. The paper cup 20 as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 comprises a circular disc-shaped body 22 of paper similar to the material of body 12 of the cup. The disc-shaped body 22 is formed with an upwardly and outwardly flaring rim or flange 24 which continues into a curved extremity 26 opening downwardly. The body of the cover is formed with spaced concentrically arranged corrugations 28 which start at a point remote from the peripheral edge 30 of the body of the cover and which end at a point closely spaced from the center of the body, leaving a flat portion 32 at the center. The discshaped body is imperforate.

In use, the paper cover 20 is readily clamped onto the top edge of the body of the cup, the curved extremity 26 3,057,537 Patented Oct. 9, 1962 embracing the looped head 16 and the flanged rim 24 snugly contacting the upper edge or lip of the body of the cup, said extremity 26 and flanged rim 24 sealing the cup at its upper end whereby leakage of liquid is prevented. When the cover is in sealing position on the top edge of the cup as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the gases, steam and the like from the hot liquid in the cup or container press upwardly against the corrugated body of the cover, which constitutes a bellows, whereby the body expands upwardly as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2 so that the cover holds its position on the top edge of the body and does not pop off or become displaced.

In the modified form of cover 20' shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the body 22 of the cover is flat and formed with a central vent 36. A thin circular plate 38 of flexible transparent plastic material is positioned over the vent 36 with its peripheral edge 40 secured to the flat body 22' by adhesive or in any other suitable manner, the remainder of the plate being unattached. The plate 38 is formed with spaced concentric corrugations 42 extending from the periphery of the plate to a point closely spaced from the center of the plate leaving a smooth flat central portion 44, said corrugations constituting a bellows. In all other respects, the cover 20 is similar to the cover 20 and similar reference numerals are used to indicate similar parts.

In using the cover 20, the gases, steam and the like arise from the hot coflee or other liquid in the container or cup and pass in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 6 out through the vent 36 and impinge against the flexible plastic plate 38 expanding said plate upwardly as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 6. This expansion prevents displacement of the cover 20' on the cup or container.

Referring now to the modified form of paper cover 20" shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, inclusive, this form of cover 20 differs from the form of cover 20 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 merely in the shape and construction of the sealing device 50 for the vent 36". The sealing device comprises a rectangular shaped plate 52 of thin flexible transparent plastic material. The plate 52 is placed on the body 22" of the cover so that the vent 36 is disposed centrally thereof. The body of the plate is folded lengthwise at opposed points 54 and 56 closely spaced from its longitudinal center and at points 58 and 60 remote from said longitudinal center as viewed in FIG. 9, thereby providing a center section 62 which normally rests in flatwise condition upon the remainder of the plate as shown in FIG. 8. The elongated side edges 64 and the end edges 66 of the plate are fastened to the top surface of the body 22" of the cover 20" by adhesive as indicated at 68 or in any other suitable manner.

In using the form of cover 20", the hot gases or steam and the like pass outwardly in the direction of the arrows shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 through the vent 36", through the center of the plate 50 into the central tubular section 62 which is closed on all sides whereby the central section 62 is blown up or expanded into the shape of a flattenedout tube as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 thereby relieving the pressure on the body portion 22" of the cover and thus preventing displacement of the cover on the top of the cup or container.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that changes in details of construction might be made without departing from the principle of the invention and I desire to be limited only by the state of the prior art and the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A cover for a paper coffee cup comprising a circularshaped body with a central opening therein, and a thin rectangular-shaped plate of plastic material positioned over the opening in the circular shaped body, said plate having its side edges and end edges secured to the top References Cited in the file of this patent surface of the circular-shaped body, said plate being folded UNITED STATES PATENTS longitudinally providlng a central fullness adapted to expand under pressure from hot gases passing through the 1,987,817 Burns 1935 opening in the circular-shaped body when the cover is in 5 2,027,430 Hansen 1936 sealing position on a paper coifee cup. 2,707,588 Amberg May 3, 1955 2,723,072 Sayford Nov. 8, 1955 2. A cover for a paper coifee cup as defined in claim 1 wherein the circular-shaped body is formed with a. curved peripheral rim. 

